~East Sussex County Council~ has taken criminal prosecutions for the first time against companies for not taking adequate safety precautions at street works. South East Water was fined £1,000 at Eastbourne Magistrates’ Court for inadequate signing at works, while Southern Water was fined £500 at Lewes Magistrates’ Court for the same offence. Cllr ~Matthew Lock~ lead member for transport, hoped it would send a ‘loud and clear’ message to utilities.